Industrial truck



. E. H. RENDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Fired April 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l 47717. femfk Dec. 29 1925- E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed April 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Il lfllx..

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' E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed April 14, '1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fw m -c l Dec 1925 E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed April 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .am V

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Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,567,331 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD. E. RENDE. 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB PANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO,

TO THE BAKER B. L. COH- A CORPORATGN 0F OHIO.

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

Application lled April 14, 1922. aerial No. 552,780.

- truck may be used for loading and unloading operations to and from platforms and vehicle bodies or other supports of varying heights in a rapid and economical manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck of this character in which the elevating mechanism and the truck driving mechanism are compa-ctly arranged, whereby the truck frame may be made relatively short to permit its rapid operation in restricted areas.

Another object of the invention is'to provide in a truck of this character improved elevating mechanism which operates to raise and lower or support the platform in any desired position vertically without any tendene4 to disalign or impart strains to the plat orm guide frame or the section or sections constituting the truck frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck of this character in which improved means are provided for raising and lowering the latform, thereby insuring positive operation and suliicient power for raising the load without imparting undue strains on the elements of the elevating mechanism or guide frame for the platform.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawin s,

Fig. l is a sie elevation of a truck embodyingvmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the truck. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the truck showing the platforinpartly elevated (the dotted lines showing the platform in its extreme upper position.)

Fig. 5 1s a horizontal section through the truck taken on the lane indicated by the line'5-5 shown in Fiig 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an end view of toward the left in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a section o n the line 8-y-8 of Fig.

the truck, looking 'Fia'. 9 is a section on the line 9--9 of Fig.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10--10 of Fig. 11.

ig. 11 is a section on the line 11`11 of Fig. l0.

Fig. 12 is a section similar to and showing a portion of Fig. 11, the elements shown being enlarged. F Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13H13 of Fig. 14 is a section similar to and showing a portion of Fig. 13, the elements shown being enlar ed.

In the rawings, 1 indicates as an entirety a frame comprising a main section 2 and a sub-section 3, preferably arranged in a plane below the main section. The main section is preferably constructed as described and claimed in my co-pending application filed Nov. 20, 1920, Ser. No. 425,555 (Patent No. 1,554,167, dated Sept. 15, 1925). The inner or adjacent. ends of the main section 2 and subsection 3 are preferably connected by a pair of angle members 4, each riveted to the adjacent rame members, as shown. The sub-section 3 preferably comprises airs of parallel beams 5, 5', 5, 5', arrange within the side members of the main frame 2, and

Aconnected at their free ends by a cross piece 6; each pair of beams 5, 5', preferably consists of a channel bar 7 and a casting 8 having overlapping .ends which are riveted (see Figs. 11 and 12) or secured together in any desired manner. The castings 8 are offset laterally, inwardly, as shown at 8 to provide ample room for the mounting of a pair of wheels 12 to be later referred to. The castings 8 are preferably provided with suitable knuckles 9 to which are pivoted by pins 10 the axles or s indles 11. The axles 11 suport the whee s 12, the axles and 4wheel feloes being constructed to ermit the provision of suitable antifriction bearings 12b,

connecting the castings 8 together and cooperating with the cross piece 6 to maintain them in parallel relationship, the plate 8b beingr preferably disposed in the plane of the pivot pins 10.

.14 indicates a pair of wheels disposed below and preferably within the sides of the main frame 2.

The wheels 14 are preferably pivoted to the main frame or to the opposite ends of an axle 14 -lfyineans of knuckle joints or pivots l5, in 'a well known manner, whereby they may bc turned for steering. 16 indicates a motor for driving the wheels 14. The motor 16 is preferably supported below the main frame 2 by a suspension mechanism 17, which is the joint invention of John H. Hertner and myself and is disclosed in a co-pending application, Serial No. 420,630.

18 indicates as an entirety steering con-y nections for the wheels 12 and 14. These connections referably comprise arms 19, 19a, connecte to the axles 11, at their inner ends and at their outer ends connected by a tie-rod 20; an arm 21 connected to or formed integrally with thev arm 19; a rod 22 pivotally connected to the arm 21 at one end and at its op osite end pivotally connected to one end olf) a lever 23which is fulcrumed on a cross piece 24, supported at its opposite ends on the flanges of the channel bars 7 arms 25 fixed to the axles for the Wheels 14; a tie-rod 26 connecting the arms 25 together; an arm 27 fixed to one'of the axles for the Wheels 14; a rod 28 ivoted at one end to the opposite end of t e'lever 23 and at its o posite end to the arm 27; and a link 29 w lich is pivoted to the rod 28 at one end and at its opposite end is connected to an arm 30 fixed to the lower end of a rock shaft 3l. The rock shaft 31 carries at its upper end a handle 32, by means of which the steering connections may be operated.

33 indicates a suitable battery or batteries removably supported on the frame section 2 and arranged to supply current to the motor 1G. 34 indicates a controller in. terposed in and controlling the electric circuit for the motor 16 in a well known Inanner, the controller being actuated by means of a lever 36 indicates a platform on which the operative stands when operating the truck. 3T indicates a foot pedal for controlling one or more brakes 37, (only one being shown) which are preferably connected with an element driven by the shaft of the motor. 'Y

Maasai be extended to or below the sub-section 3 so that the platform 13 may be lowered to the desired plane and (2) facilitating the rigid bracing of the guide members in the vertical position.

The guide members 38 preferably comprise a pair of I-beams, the flanges of which serve as guides for shoes forming a part of the platform 13. 39 indicates brackets secured vto the depending members 4 and extending outwardly therefrom and serving as supports for the lower ends of the guide members 38. As shown in Fig. 11, each of the brackets 39 is provided at its free end with a foot 40, to which, the base portion of the adjacent I-beam is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured. 41 indicates a pair of supplemental brackets extending laterally from the main frame 2 and rigidly secured at their free ends to the base portions of the beams 38 in any well known manner, for example, by rivets, as shown in Fig. 1. 42 indicates a pair of beams connected at their outer ends to struts 43 disposed at the front end of the frame section 2 and -ar ranged to su port a dash 44 and arms 45 to which the p atform 36 is connected. The beams 42 extend inwardly and are connected at their inner ends to the base portion of the beams 38 (the adjacent flanges of the latter being cut away for this purpose), preferably by rivets 46. 47 indicates angle lates for connecting the outer ends of the eams 42, struts 43 and dash 44 together. 105 48 indicates a pair of tie rods each extending from one of the angle platesy 47 to the upper portion of the adjacent beam 38, being preferably secured to the latter by means of an end plate 49 extending laterally there- 110 from as shownv in Fig. 1. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the guide members 38 extend from the inner edge of the subsection 3 upwardly and are rigidly secured in fixed relationship to the frame 1 at their opposite ends and at points intermediate their ends. lt will also be seen that the brackets 39 are disposed in a horizontal plane so that their interme-l diate sections form a stop to prevent any tendency of the guide members 38 to swing about their connections with the frame section 2 due to the load on the platform 13 at any position in which the platform 13 may be elevated; whereas the tie rods 48 are 125 connected at the upper ends of the guide members 38 and prevent swinging movement outwardly due to the weight of the load on the platform. The platform 13 comprises a shoe member 50 and a platform member 51, 130

-lower ends the castings a are which may be pivotally connected at its inner end to the shoe member. The shoe member 50 preferably comprises a pair of spaced members or castings 5()a connected together by a pair of plates 50b and upper and lower shoes 50c carried by each casting 50 engaging the flanges or side walls of the adjacent guide member 38. Each shoe 50c preferably comprises a roller 5()d loosely mounted on a shaft 50e supported in the wall of the casting. The shafts 50e are inclined so that the surfaces of the rollers may engage the inclined inner surfaces of the side walls of the adjacent guide member 38. As will be understood from Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the shafts 50e carriedfby each casting 50 are inclined at an angle to each other and are offset relative to the central longitudinal plane of the adjacent guide member so that the lower roller w'ill engage the rear side wall and the upper roller will engage the front side Wall thereof. At their preferably provided with knuckles 50, formed with aligned o enings 50g to receive pivot pins 52. The plat orm member 51 comprises a pair of arms 51a and a plate 51C having depending flanges 51d which are disposed on the outer side of the arms 51a and are rigidly secured thereto by rivets 51". The inner ends of the arms 51a are bifurcated and the bifurcations are formed with aligned openings adapted to register with the openings 50g whereby the platform member 1s pivotally connected to the shoe member. The castin s 50a and arms 51a are shaped to provi e abutments 53 which engageV each other and maintain the platform in a horizontal posi tion, but permit it to swing upwardly about the pivot pins 52. The advantage of this construction will be ap arent from Fig. 1, where the platform 13 1s shown in elevated position by dotted lines and has been lowered to its lowermost position. If the truck has been positioned too close to a platform, indicated by dotted lines at A, the platform 13 may swing upwardly to permit it to ride over the outer end of the latter, as the shoe member 50 continues moving down wardl It will thus be seen that the pivoting o the platform member 51 to the shoe member 50 permits it to swing upwardly as the latter moves downwardly without causing strain or stress u on the platform 13, gulde members 38 or ot er parts of the truck,-

`with resulting damage which might be caused' if the latform member 51 was rigidly connected) to the shoe member 50.'

54 indicates as an entiret means for raising and lowering the plat orm 13.- Qf the raising and lowering means 54, 55 indicates a casting preferably secured to the rear side wall of the casing for the battery 33. The casting 55 is provided with a pair of arms 56 in which is mounted a shaft 57 carrying a drum 58. The shaft 57 has connected to it a driving element (such as a worm gear) meshing with a worm fixed to the armature shaft ofvan electric motor 59, the casing for which is rigidly secured to a housing 60 enclosing the driving elements, and such housing is rigidly connected to or formed integrally with the casting The winding drum 58'is adapted to have wound up and unwound from it a pair of flexible lmembers such as ropes 61, 61a, which extend upwardly around a pair of sheaves 62 carried by a frame 63 at the upper en'l of the guide members 38, and then downwardly around a pair of sheaves 6l carried by the shoe member 50; then upwardly to and around a pair of sheaves 65 carried by the frame 63 and then downwardly around a pair of sheaves 66 carried by the shoe member 50; then upwardly to and around a pair of sheaves 67 carried by the frame 63 and finally downwardly to a suitable connection, such as an equalizing bar 68 pivoted to the bracket 69 fixed in any suitable manner to the cross piece 70. The frame 63 preferably comprises a pair of spaced channel beams 63a connected together by a pair of I beams 63b each provided with hollow bosses supporting suitable bearings which support thc opposite ends of the shaft 7l on which the pairs of sheaves 62 and 67 are rotatably mounted. 72 indicates a pair of plates having bearings which support a shaft 73 extending transversely of the frame 63 or at right angles to the shaft 71 and rotatably supporting the pair of sheaves 65. The frame 63 is preferably arranged at and connected through the end plates 49 to the upper free ends of the guide members 38, such arrangement serving to rigidly maintain the latter in spaced parallel relationship and also providing a support for the pairs of sheaves 62, 65 and 67 at a point which permits maximum movement of the platform 13 in the upward direction. From the foregoing description it will be noted that the motor 59 is arranged so that ils armature shaft extends vertically and that the motor 59, drum 58 and the driving elements therefor are disposed between the batteries 33 and guide members This not only arranges the periphery of the drum close to the guide members 38, so that the pulling strain on the ropes 6l, 61, will be downwardly in a direction that is substantially parallel thereto, .but also permits the mounting of the motor and drum in a minimum space, thereby obviating an unduly cxtended frame. This arrangement also eliminates any obstruction to the line of vision of the operator standing on the platform 36. The motor 59 is controlled by means of a suitable controller 74- fixed in any suitable manner to the dash 414 or casing for the batteries 33, the movable elements of the controller being operated by a handle 75. The pairs of sheaves 6a, 66, are rotatably mounted upon a pair of shafts 76 mounted at their opposite ends in bca-ring plates 77 secured to the connecting plates h in any desired manner. I

78 indicates a mechanism for automatically cutting od -or breaking the circuit to the motor 59 as the platform 13 approaches the limit of its movement in either direction. Of the mechanism 78, 79 indicates a switch mechanism which is preferably oi' the construction described and claimed in` my (fo-pending application Serial No. 523286, whereby movement of the arm or lever S() about the axis of the shaft 81 (see Fig. fl) will break the circuit to the motor 59. 82 indicates a pair ot' rods pivotally connected at their adjacent ends to the lever 80 and extending in opposite directions vertically; the tree ends oit the arms being slidably mounted in openings formed in brackets 83, 84, carried at or near the upper and lower ends of the guide members 38. 85 indicates a pair of collars, adjustably xed to the rods 82 and so arranged that one will be engaged and moved by a lug 86 carried by the shoe member 5() as it approaches the limit of its movelnent upwardiy and the other will be engaged and moved by the lug 86 as the shoe member 50 approaches the limit of its movement in the opposite direction.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that l have provided a truck in which the guide frame is disposed upon or connected to the frame l at a point between the pairs of supporting wheels. This arrangement not only distributes the weight of the load, but also prevents any tendency 'for the truck to tip, while the load is being elevate l.

1Furthermore, the connection of the guide members 38 to the inner ends of the trame sections 2, 3, results in providing a rigid structure and a xed relationship of the guide members to the frame l. It will also be noted that l have provided an improved 'hoisting means capable of raising and lowering relatively heavy loads 1n a ready manner Without strain on the motor and the drive elements therefor.. rlhe winding drum is `arranged in a transverse plane relatively close to the guide members 38 so that the pull onthe ropes is substantially parallel to the guide members. `Furthermore the rollers 50d are mounted on shafts which are parallel to the surfaces with which the rollers engage so that the latter operate to guide the platform with minimum friction.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes or modifications in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without depart.

ing from the spirit and scope thereof. The

intenser disclosures and description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What l claim is: 1

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck having an elevated section and a drop section, wheels for supporting said frame, means for driving certain of said Wheels, a vertically disposed guide frame supported on and arranged at one end of said drop section, a horizontal member movably supported at its inner end by said guide trame, and means for raising and lowering said member, said means comprising a motor and a member driven thereby arranged near the lower end of said guide iframe, a guide element supported at the upper end of said guide frame and a flexible member connected to said horizontal member'and running over said guide element and adapted to be operated by said driven member.

2. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck frame having an ele` vated section and a drop section, Wheels for supporting said frame, means for driving certain ot said wheels, a pair of spaced bars supported vertically on and arranged at one end of said drop section, the inner opposing side walls of each bar formingguides, an elevating member, pairs of rollers carried by the inner end of said elevating member, each said pair of rollers engaging opposing side Walls of the adjacent bar and the shats for each pair of rollers being disposed at angles to each other to support the rollers parallel to the adjacent side walls, respectively, and means for raising and lowering said elevating member.

3. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck frame, wheels' for supporting said frame, means for driving certain ot' said wheels, a pair of spaced bars supported vertically onA said frame, the inner opposing side walls of each bar forming guides, an elevating member, pairs of rollers carried by the inner end of saidV elevating member and engaging the op osing guide walls of said bars, the shafts idr each pair of said rollers being disposed at angles to each other to su port the rollers parallel to the adjacent si e walls, respectively, and means for rais-I ing and lowering said elevating member, said means comprising a motor and a drum driven thereby arranged near the lower end of said bars, a shea-ve sup orted at the upper end thereof and a flexible member connected to said elevating member and running over said sheave and adapted to'be wound on and oli' said drum.

4. ln apparatus of the class described,\the combination of a truckframe comprising a main section and a drop section disposed in a plane below said main section, wheels for llU Cil

supporting said frame, means for driving certain of said wheels, a pair of vertical guides disposed adjacent the inner ends of said main and drop sections, an elevating member normally disposed on said drop section and provided at its inner end with shoes engaging-said guides, and means for moving said member vertically in said guides. said means comprising a'motor, a drum driven thereby, pairs of sheaves carried by said member and said guides and flexible elements connected vto said elevating member and running around said sheaves and arranged to wind on and off said drum.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination' of a truck frame comprising a main section and a drop section disposed in a plane below said main section, wheels for supporting said frame, means for driving certain of said'wheels, a pair of vertical guides disposed adjacent the inner ends of said main and dro sections, an elevating member normally disposed on said drop section and provided at its inner end with shoes engaging said guides, and lmeans for raising and lowering said member, said means comprising a motor and a drum driven thereby and flexible elements connected to said member between said guides and suspended and operating from a point on the latter vertically above their connection with said member.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of la truck frame comprising a main section and a drop section disposed in a horizontal plane below -said main section, wheels for'supporting said frame, means for driving certain of said wheels, a pair of vertical guides disposed adjacent the inner ends of said main and drop sections, means for connecting the inner end of each said section to said guides, tie rods between the upper ends of said guides-and the outer end of said main frame, an elevating member nor? mally disposed on said drop section and provided at its inner end with shoes engaging said guides, and means for raising and lowering said member, said means including a motor and a drum driven thereby, sheaves carried by said shoes and guides and a iiexible element connected to said elevating member and running around said sheaves and adapted to wind on and olf said drum.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck-frame comprising a main section and a dro section disposed in a horizontal plane be ow said main section, wheels for supportin said frame, means for driving certain o said wheels, a pair of vertical guides disposed adjacent the inner ends of said main and drop sections, an elevating member normally disposed on said drop section and provided at 1ts inner end with shoes engaging said guides, a cross member connecting the upper ends of said guides together, a sheave supported by said cross nember, and means for raising said elevating member, said means including a motor and a drum supported on said frame near the lower end of said guides and a fiexible member running over said sheave and connected to said elevating member.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck frame comprising a main section and a supporting section, wheels for supporting said frame disposed below said frame sections, respectively, vertical guides connected to the inner ends of said frame sections, a cross member connecting the u per ends of said guides, a sheave supportedp by said cross member, a platform normally disposed on said supporting frame section and having at its inner end sliding 4engagement with said guides, a battery on said main section, a motor and a windinv drum disposed between said battery and guides near the lower end of the latter, and a flexible member arranged to wind on and off said drum, running over said sheave and connected to said platform for raising and lowering it.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck frame comprising a `main section and a supporting section,

wheels for supporting said frame, guides disposed adjacent one end of said supporting frame section, a cross member connecting the upper ends ofsaid guides, a sheave supported by said cross member, a platform normally disposed on said supporting frame section and having sliding engagement with said guides, a motor, a drum driven by said motor, and a flexible member arranged to wind on and off said drum, running over said sheave and connected to said for raising and lowering it, said rum being supported near the lower end of said guides with its periphery adjacent thereto, whereby the pull on the flexible member will be in a direction substantially parallel to said guides. l

10. In a truck construction, the combination of a frame having a main section and a drop section disposed in a horizontal plane below said main sectiona pair a guides disposed vertically adjacent the inner ends of said sections, a platform having a shoe at its inner end engaging said guides and overhanging said drop section, sheaves supported at the upper ends of said guides and on said shoe, a battery su ported on the forward portion of saidJ main section, a motor and a drum disposed rearward of said battery and between it and said guides, driving connections between the shaft of said motor and the shaft of said drum, and a flexible member latform lll arranged to w'ind on and oil' said drum and running over said sheaves, whereby said platform may be raised and lowered.

11. In a truck construction, the combination of a frame having a main section and a drop section disposed in a horizontal plane below said main section, a pair of guides disposedvertically adjacent the inner ends of said sections, a platform having a shoe at its inner end engaging said guides and overhanging said drop section, sheaves supported at the upper ends of said guides and on said shoe, a battery supported on the forward portion of said main section, a motor and a drum arranged rearward of said battery and between it and said guides, a worm fixed to the shaft of said motor, a worm wheel fixed to the lshaft of said drum and meshing with said worm, whereby said drum is driven, and a flexible member arranged to wind on and olf said 'drum and running over. said sheaveswhereby said platform may be raised and lowered.

12. In a truck construction, the combination of a frame having a main section and a drop section disposed in a horizontal plane below said main section, a pair of guides disposed vertically adjacent the inner ends of said sections, a platform having a shoe at its inner end engaging said guides and overhan ing said drop section, sheaves supported at te upper ends of said ides and on said shoe, a battery supporte on the forward portion of said main section, a motor and a drum arranged rearward of said battery and between it and said guides, a worm fixed to the shaft of said motor, a worm Wheel fixed to the shaft of said drum and meshing with said worm, whereby said drum is driven, and a flexible member arranged to wind on and oill said drum and running over said sheaves, whereby said latform may be raised and lowered, said drum being arranged so that the pull on said flexible member will be in a direction substantially parallel to said guides.

13. In a truck, the combination with a frame comprising a main section and a subsection and wheels for said frame, of a vertical frame on said first-mentioned frame and provided with said main frame section spaced from said guide frame, an elevating device movable vertically in said guides, a motor and power transmitting means dis osed between said battery and said vertica frame, and mechanism for raising and lowering said elevatin device, said mechanism including a windin means connected to said power transmitting means and a pair of flexible members arranged to wind on and oil' of said winding means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. f

EDWARD H. REMDE.

uides, a battery on 

